His face was a tell-tale one,--and he was rather afraid of Philip's keen eyes.

"I hope to Heaven he'll speak to her to-day," he thought, vexedly.

"I hate being in suspense! My mind will be easier when I once know that he has gained his point,--and that there's not the ghost of a chance for any other fellow!" Meanwhile the yacht skimmed along by the barren and rocky coast of Seiland; the sun was dazzling; yet there was a mist in the air as though the heavens were full of unshed tears.

A bank of nearly motionless clouds hung behind the dark, sharp peaks of the Altenguard mountains, which now lay to the southward, as the vessel pursued her course.

There was no wind; the flag on the mast flapped idly now and then with the motion of the yacht; and Thelma found herself too warm with her pretty crimson hood,--she therefore unfastened it and let the sunshine play on the uncovered gold of her hair.